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10 Days
Moderate
3,900m
Nepal
2-16 People
Hotel, Lodge
Flight, Bus
B L D
Explore more facts about the trip
The 10-day-long adventure of the Lower Mustang Trek goes through the serene Annapurna region, covering about 80 km of total distance. The trek starts in Jomsom and ends in Hile, passing by Tatopani, Muktinath, Kagbeni, and many more exciting places. This trek offers a great blend of cultural, natural, and moderate trekking experience through the remote villages of the Annapurna highlands.
Located in the Mustang district, the Lower Mustang region is shaded by the rain shadow of the Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna Himalayan massifs. This has kept the area from receiving a considerable amount of rainfall, keeping the trails and overall surrounding dry with an arid alpine-like landscape. The hills are barren there, and the roads are often dusty. This region also houses the deepest gorge in the world, the Kali Gandaki Gorge.
The Lower Mustang region was a part of the Kingdom of Lo in the past, and also under massive Tibetan influence at around the same time. It was a key point in the trade route between India and Tibet, which made it a prosperous kingdom. At present, this region still showcases Tibetan architecture, culture, and religion (Tibetan Buddhism). We will pass by many monasteries, chortens, and traditional houses that showcase the long-lasting Tibetan influence.
Primarily dominated by Thakali communities, the Lower Mustang region is fairly accessible as it does not reach that high in altitude. However, certain villages are still only accessible on foot; there are no roads for vehicles. These villages are the main focus of the trek since they offer authentic countryside vibes with a peek into their daily lives and practices.
Although some villages are inaccessible by vehicle, places like Jomson, Muktinath, Hile, etc., are easily accessible. Wide asphalt roads have been made for easy access, but they have also disrupted the trekking experience since many trekking trails were crossed or overridden while constructing the road. However, Natural Annapurna Trekking Trails (NATT) has stepped up to conserve the remaining trails and craft new routes, avoiding the tarmac roads.
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A flight to Jomsom from Pokhara lasts just about 25 minutes. This scenic flight leaves in the morning, so we will have to reach the airport after breakfast. After we reach Jomsom, we will get ready to start the first trekking day of the Lower Mustang Trek. Today’s trekking distance is almost 11 km with a minimal elevation gain, taking us to 2800 meters above sea level. This trek takes around 3 to 4 hours to complete, following the Kali Gandaki River for the most part.
Activity: 25 mins flight / 3-4 hrs trek
Max. Altitude: 2,800m/9,186ft. (Kagbeni)
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Lodge
Day 2 of the Lower Mustang Trek in Nepal features a 5 to 6-hour trek with a trek distance of 11 km. This trek will gain us around 1000 meters of altitude, reaching 3800 meters above sea level. Leaving Kagbeni, the trail is accompanied by traditional mud houses, and soon passes the Sakyapa Monastery. After about 30 minutes, we reach a gradual ascent that takes us to Jhong village. From there, we will continue moving up until we reach Muktinath.
Activity: 5-6 hrs trek
Max. Altitude: 3,800m/12,467ft. (Muktinath)
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Guesthouse
The following day is one of the most tiring days of the Lower Mustang Trek in Nepal since we will have to pass the Lupra Pass (3772 m). The trek duration of the day is 5 to 6 hours with a net elevation loss of 1010 meters, reaching 2790 meters at Lupra Village. Ascending to Lupra Pass, the trail starts gently over rocky terrain. Enjoying the panoramic views of the landscape, we will climb a short ascent till we reach the top of the pass. From there, we will descend all the way to Lupra village.
Activity: 5-6 hrs trek
Max. Altitude: 2,790m/9,154ft. (Lupra Village)
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Lodge
Today’s Lower Mustang Trek itinerary features an estimated trek duration of 4 to 5 hours with a net elevation gain of 50 meters, reaching 2840 meters above sea level. The total trek distance of the day is 11 km (8 km to Thini and 3 km to Dhumba Tal). Starting the trek, we will pass the Lupra Gompa and traverse the Kali Gandaki River valley to get to Thini village. From there, we will get on a 2-hour round-trip trek to Dhumba Tal, reaching 2830 meters of elevation.
Activity: 4-5 hrs trek
Max. Altitude: 2,830m/9,285ft. (Dhumba Tal)
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Lodge
Day 5 of the Lower Mustang Trek requires 8 km of trekking with an estimated trek duration of 4 to 5 hours. The trek starts over a historic trade route over arid terrain, passing by fields of apple, buckwheat, and barley. With dramatic cliffs on one side and a river on the other, the trail it mostly easy with no steep ascents all the way to Chimang village. This village offers local and authentic Thakali cuisine, which you must try at least once.
Activity: 4-5 hrs trek
Max. Altitude: 2,850m/9,350ft. (Chimang Village)
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Lodge
The next day, we will descend further into the valley and reach 2530 meters of elevation at Kalapani, losing 320 meters of elevation. The trail is a dirt path that follows the Kali Gandaki River downstream; you can find Shaligram stones (fossil stones) at the riverside. Not every fossil stone has fossils inside it; some are just like regular stones. Passing by small fields and thin vegetation, we will finally reach Kalapani.
Max. Altitude: 2,530m/8,301ft. (Kalapani)
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Lodge
The 7th day of the Lower Mustang Trek in Nepal requires covering 12 km with an estimated trek duration of 5 to 6 hours. Leaving Kalapani, the path leads us down the valley and soon turns into a steep descent. As we lose elevation, there is more green in the surrounding area. Accompanied by a view of the Kali Gandaki Gorge, the distant peaks of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri also come into view occasionally. After arriving at Tatopani, we will head to the natural hot spring for a soothing bath.
Activity: 5-6 hrs trek
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Lodge
Today, we will trek about 10 km long with an elevation gain of 745 meters, taking us to 1935 meters above sea level at Shikha. The trek duration of the 8th day of the Lower Mustang Trek is about 5 to 6 hours, starting with a gradual climb through a lush forest. Passing by many settlements and farmlands, this trail is a part of the standard Annapurna Circuit trek. Soon after, we will arrive at our destination of the day and check into our accommodation for the night.
Activity: 5-6 hrs
Max. Altitude: 1,935m/6,348ft. (Shikha)
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Lodge
Day 9 of the Lower Mustang Trek in Nepal takes us to Ghorepani, reaching 2850 meters above sea level. The trek duration of the day is 3 to 4 hours with an elevation gain of 915 meters and a trek distance of 6 km. The trek begins with a plain section through a lush forest and gradually winds up a hill. This steady ascent features a few steep parts with views of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre in the distance. Crossing many small streams over makeshift bridges, we will finally reach Ghorepani village.
Activity: 3-4 hrs trek
Max. Altitude: 2,850m/9,350ft. (Ghorepani)
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Guesthouse
This is the last trekking day of the Lower Mustang Trek. We will begin rather early in the morning to view the sunrise from the Poon Hill viewpoint. It will take us about 45 minutes to reach the viewpoint from Ghorepani, and the scene from the top is absolutely stunning. After enjoying the views, we will head back to Ghorepani, energize ourselves with breakfast, and head to Hile village.
From Ghorepani, we will have to walk about 6 km and lose 1420 meters of elevation to reach Hile. This trek takes about 3 to 4 hours to complete. The descent starts with a forested section passing by many Gurung and Magar villages. We will also pass the infamous stone steps section of Ulleri to reach Hile. From there, we will get on a jeep to Pokhara.
Activity: 3-4 hrs trek
Max. Altitude: 822m/2,697ft. (Pokhara)
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
If our standard itinerary doesn't fully meet your needs, we are happy to tailor it to your specific preferences and requirements.
The best seasons are those with suitable trekking conditions that accentuate the trekking experience. Such features can be found in seasons like autumn and spring. The autumn season offers great visibility, very low chances of precipitation, and overall dry routes. On the other hand, spring also has the same qualities with a little more chances of rainfall, but a more lush scenery with blooming flowers.
You can never go wrong with any of these two options. The weather conditions during these seasons are great, but you might encounter rain or snow in the latter parts of the season.
The Lower Mustang Trek in Nepal is one of the easiest trekking destinations within the Annapurna region and also the entire country. This trek features very manageable ascents, with mostly plain and slightly undulating trails. There are no tricky sections or technical passages that might prove to be difficult for the untrained. All these features make it a great option for beginners and first-time trekkers. On a scale of 10, this trek deserves a 6.
The chances of altitude sickness on this trek are very low, considering the fact that our maximum elevation is just 3800 meters, which is barely higher than the starting elevation of altitude sickness. After we cross 3500 meters, trekkers usually start to see minor signs of altitude sickness, but it does not get serious until we climb higher than 5000 meters.
To prepare for Lower Mustang Trek, you have to get physical at least 5 times a week, going for as long as 5 to 6 weeks. Since this trek is easy, you do not have to prepare for long, but you do have to focus on your fitness since you have to trek for hours daily.
The nationwide popular Thakali dishes can be found at most of the villages en route. These dishes will be a bit different from the Thakali dishes found in city areas, since they have different authentic recipes. The room arrangements we make for Lower Mustang Trek are on a twin-sharing basis, with a communal bathroom. You do not get attached washroom in most tea houses. The trek package will cover 3 meals per day and all your accommodation expenses from day 1 to day 9.
All the ground transportation will be covered by the package, along with the flight to Jomson from Pokhara. You do not have to pay anything for these rides.
Normal SIM cards will have some level of coverage throughout the trek, but it might not be very reliable for using the internet. You can find Wi-Fi at some of the tea houses, at a price. The Lower Mustang Trek guide will have a satellite phone to call for help in case of emergencies.
For this trek, you are required to have an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and a Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) card. Morning Star’s reps will help you get these permits, and the package will cover the expense.
After you arrive at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, you will have to obtain your tourist visa at the immigration booth before leaving. For this, you will have to fill out a visa application and pay your visa fees. This part of the journey is not covered by the trek package.
Travel insurance is necessary for most of the trekking destinations in Nepal, including this one. The insurance package covers the cost of emergency evacuations, which is a rare possibility on this journey. Regardless of the rarity, it’s better to be prepared for the worst.
Your international flight, visa fees, extra meals, additional accommodation, upgraded accommodation, tips for the guides and porters, lunch and dinner in Pokhara, any kind of beverages, personal travel insurance, WiFi fees, hot shower, etc., are your extra expenses.
A private trek to the Lower Mustang Trek includes your family and friends, or anyone you want to experience the trek with. This is an exclusive group with your close ones, upgrading the trekking experience overall. Meanwhile, a group trek is a budget-friendly version that includes random participants from all over the world. This can be a fun experience as well, since you will get to meet many like-minded people from all over the globe, ranging from young to old.
General
The spring season is the best option for this trek. Most people seem to prefer this season for its lush and vibrant nature.
Compared to the Annapurna trek, the Lower Mustang Trek in Nepal is an easier option. The standard Annapurna trek can extend up to 22 days, which is exhausting and physically demanding.
No, there is no such thing as special permits; you just need to have regular trek permits to do this trek.
No, there are no age restrictions for joining this trek; however, we do not usually take kids under 12 years of age.
This trek features a couple of remote villages where just the basic facilities are available, while the rest of the villages offer standard and additional services.
Yes, of course, you can join this trek with other treks in the Annapurna region. However, it must be approved by our trek experts since not every modification is viable at any given time.
Preparation & Fitness
Descents take a toll on your knees and soles of your feet, the best exercise to do is going on short hikes to some hills, or using the ladder machine at the gym.
You have to walk about 4 to 5 hours per day on average. The shorter end of the spectrum is 3 to 4 hours of walking, while the longer days feature 6 to 7 hours.
No, this trek is one of the easiest trekking destinations in Nepal. It is very beginner-friendly and does not require prior trekking experience.
You should pack sunscreen, sunglasses, trekking poles, sturdy trekking boots, a reusable water bottle, and water purification tablets.
Just the plain and simple cardio exercises focusing on the lower half of the body are enough to prepare for the long ascent from Kagbeni to Muktinath.
Insurance and Visa
Yes, a visa is required to do the Lower Mustang Trek in Nepal. You can not leave the airport without obtaining a tourist visa upon arrival.
Just the regular type of travel insurance that covers medical and emergency expenses is good enough for this trek.
Yes, your insurance package must cover expenses up to 3800 meters or 4000 meters. We do not want you paying a hefty sum of money in case of rescue; the insurance company will cover the expense instead.
For the Lower Mustang Trek in Nepal, the package will provide you with an ACAP permit and a TIMS card.
If the trek schedule changes, you can simply visit the Tourism Board Office or fill out an online form for a visa extension.
Yes, emergency evacuation insurance is mandatory for this trek in the rare case that you need to be evacuated.
You can obtain the permits from the Tourism Board Office in Pokhara and Kathmandu. Our trek guide will handle this hassle; you do not have to put your hands into it.
Guides & Support Staff
While licensed guides are mandatory for these treks, porters are not. However, porters make the trekking experience so much better.
As per the standard practice, we have set a weight limit of 12 kg per person. Our porters are capable of carrying 2 people’s luggage for the entire trek.
You do not have to provide them with anything; we will take care of it. The porters will carry the first aid boxes all the way through.
While tipping culture is not a social norm in Nepal, the guides and porters have been exposed to it a lot. So, they are used to being tipped often.
Of course, you can opt not to take a porter along. But, be 100% sure that you can carry it all the way and back.
Yes, the guides will call for help, preferably a helicopter evacuation service, in times of emergencies. They are also first aid trained.
Accommodation and Facilities
The lower region villages offer a great range of services, while the remote villages offer just the basic ones.
Yes, hot showers are available throughout the trek, but it is only prepared once you ask for it; they do not keep them readily available.
Yes, private rooms are an option, but you must request this change at the booking phase. This gives us enough time to arrange private rooms, which are not generally available in the highlands.
Food and Drinks
You will get some traditional Nepalese dishes, and a couple of western options, with some seasonal local dishes.
Yes, the vegetarian dishes are great in taste, and they are also the best option during the trekking days in the Lower Mustang Trek in Nepal.
Yes, you can find many water taps and natural spring water sources all along the Lower Mustang Trek in Nepal.
Along with Thakali cuisine, you can try Tsampa, Rildok, Thukpa, Yak chees, Yak meat, Butter tea, Khoo, Thenthuk, Gundruk, Yak momo, and more.
Weather & Seasons
During those two seasons, the weather tends to stay clear with less rain and more sunny days, offering great views of the landscapes.
The afternoon winds can spread dust and also bring in clouds of rain. However, the chances are pretty low during peak trekking seasons.
No, the Lower Mustang Trek is not feasible in the monsoon period as the rain heavily affects the trails. The paths become muddy and slippery, and the chances of landslides also increase. Moreover, there are no good views because of the constant downpour.
In Muktinath, you can expect an average nighttime temperature of 10°C to 15°C during the seasons of autumn and spring.
In the lower region, you can just put on a t-shirt and a light jacket; however, you will need at least 3 layers of clothing during your time at places like Lupra Pass, Muktinath, and Thini.
Yes, early spring and late autumn periods are prone to snow and rain since it is the time when seasons change.
You can simply check on your phone’s weather app. However, forecasts in the hilly region often turn out to be inaccurate.
Health & Safety
You can keep away from altitude sickness by just following the simple preventive measures, such as keeping yourself hydrated, keeping a safe ascending pace, and not eating or drinking anything that dehydrates you.
Yes, there are some clinics and health posts throughout the trek; however, in emergency cases, we only have the option of helicopter rescue.
A sunscreen is enough to keep your skin from getting sunburn, while sunglasses keep your eyes safe from dust and bright reflections.
No, the hot springs are not germ-free; many people bathe in the water, making them prone to contamination of all kinds.
You do not have to carry first aid supplies; we will provide them to you in case you need them.
They have been reinforced to withstand long-term usage; the bridges are pretty safe all throughout the route.
Booking & Payment
Generally, we withhold a certain percentage of the initial deposit if you are cancelling the trek after a successful booking.
All your permit fees will be covered by the package; however, it does not cover your entrance fees during sightseeing in Kathmandu.
Yes, you are free to modify the itinerary as long as the options are viable and available.
If the trek is canceled due to any unforeseen issues, we will offer you a similar type of trekking experience or wait for the situation to get back to normal. You can also get a refund, but we will hold a certain percentage of the deposit you made.
Absolutely, without any deposit, we will not be able to start the preparation for your trek, such as booking the accommodations in advance, booking transportation, and engaging human resources to make it all happen.
Transportation & Flight
During the trekking months, the flights are pretty reliable. In case they are canceled, we will have to wait for the next day.
Vehicles with a 4WD function are used to drive from Hile to Pokhara.
No, there are no backup options. Worsening road conditions are a rare event after Hile.
You need to be present at the airport at least 1.5 hours before the scheduled time of the flight.
No, public transportation is not available at barely accessible in villages like Shikha.
No, there are no stop signs; however, we can stop the jeep if you want to relieve yourself or get a quick meal.
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